Jose Mourinho is poised for a return to management, having reportedly agreed to become the new head coach of Fenerbahce. This development comes as he re-enters the football scene, coinciding with his involvement in the TNT Sports coverage of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday.
According to reports from Italy, the 61-year-old Mourinho has signed a two-year deal with the Turkish giants. This marks his first coaching role since being dismissed by Roma in January. Mourinho had been linked with potential moves to the Saudi Pro League and a return to Chelsea in recent months. He has also expressed interest in returning to the Premier League, with Manchester United often rumored to be considering a reappointment of the three-time English champion. Fans at Stamford Bridge still hold him in high regard due to his success during two spells at the club.
Earlier this year, Mourinho outlined his aspirations for his next managerial role. "My dream job description – because sometimes you have a job title and another thing is the job description – is ‘head coach’," he stated. "That’s my dream. To be the coach. To be the guy who works with the team, focuses on developing players, preparing matches."
Reflecting on past experiences, Mourinho expressed frustration over being forced into roles beyond coaching. "When you are much more than that you are not as good a coach as you can be. The club puts you in a position where I don’t want to be," he explained. He also mentioned the emotional toll of representing a club in challenging times, such as the Europa League final loss with Roma.
Mourinho emphasized the importance of a clear, fair structure in his next role. "Give me a professional structure where I am only the head coach because this is what I am good at," he urged. He highlighted the need for realistic objectives set by both the club and himself, noting that his historical success should not create unrealistic expectations.
Prepared and eager for his next challenge, Mourinho revealed: "I’m ready to start and sometimes when you end in a club you feel the need of a rest, of a think, you know, process things. In this case, one day after I left I was ready to go." He stressed the importance of patience to avoid making the wrong choice, despite his passion for returning to the field.
